Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I began serving as pastor of Fort Des Moines United Methodist Church in July of 2009. I am excited to be serving as pastor at this time and in this place, and extend an invitation to all to be a part of worship and ministry here.

I am originally from Indianola, Iowa, and graduated from Indianola High School and Simpson College. After graduating from college I worked for Iowa Department of Human Services as a social worker. Ten years after college graduation (it took me awhile to say yes to God’s call) I began the Master of Divinity program at Methodist Theological School in Ohio in Delaware, Ohio, just north of Columbus. In May of 1993 I graduated from MTSO. I was ordained an Elder in the Iowa Annual Conference in 1995. I have served as pastor in the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church since 1993, previously serving as Associate Pastor at Jefferson/Grand Junction and at Knoxville, and as the sole pastor at Redfield/Dexter and at Stuart-Mt.Vernon/Menlo/Jefferson Center. I am married to Earl Sides, and we have four children who currently range from 16 down to 3 years old; Ben, Sam, Emily and Maggie.

I encourage you to be an active part of Fort Des Moines United Methodist Church. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or if you or someone you know is in need of pastoral care. May God bless you!

Pastor Kathy